Archive for October, 2015

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

JESUS THE SAVIOR. Jesus took our sin upon Him when He died on the Cross. We’ve all drifted like sheep, but the Shepherd and guardian of our souls has come to rescue us from our wanderings and get us back in fellowship with God (Isaiah 53:6).

JESUS THE PROVIDER. God is not distant. He is present, watchful, and caring. Whatever circumstances you are facing—if you are in the fight of your life—God is present and able to help you. If you’ve been in a fog, God’s light excels darkness. If you’ve been down, God is the glory and the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3). If your heart is vexed, God brings His peace (Philippians 4:7).

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3
JESUS THE GUIDE. The Scriptures supply everything that the soul needs. At the start of every day, go to God’s Word to get direction and to get your heart settled on His plan. As you open your Bible, He’ll lead you on the path of righteousness into fruitful, green pastures.

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

PRAY THIS PRAYER:
Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your Word (Psalm 119:18). Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:4-6).

shep•herd
One who herds, guards, and tends sheep. To guide or lead on a course. To direct or instruct in a certain manner.

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

MAKE JESUS FIRST. There are a lot of voices and responsibilities vying for our attention, but true life is knowing Jesus. We have an invitation to develop a relationship with Jesus, to make Him our priority. As we set our affections on things above we are preparing for what’s ahead (Colossians 3:2).

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8a

PERSEVERE. It’s the grace of God that causes us to continue. Breakthrough doesn’t happen overnight – it takes a persevering spirit to see something all the way through. Look to Jesus. It’s not by our might or power but by the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

MORE TO DO. God is not done with you. Your whole life doesn’t have to be dictated by the hurts and the harshness of what’s happened up to this point. God is calling you to press past uncertainty, insecurity, and inferiority and obtain the fullness of what He has for you. Pray big bold prayers, take steps of faith—Jesus is coming back!

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

PRAY THIS PRAYER.
God, help me to lay aside weights and encumbrances and the sin which so easily entangles, and run with endurance the race set before me. I fix my eyes on You, Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). I won’t just survive and maintain, but by the grace of God, I will see Your purposes come to pass in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7

1. GOD IS GOOD. Circumstances come and go, feelings come and go, but God’s Word is true and His nature never changes—He is abidingly faithful. When you realize how good God is and how much He cares about every detail of your life, fear and worry can no longer dominate you. God will work all things together for good (Romans 8:28); and He will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8).

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19a

2. GOD IS POWERFUL. You can’t make it in your own power, but you can trust in the delivering power of God. When Jesus blasted out of the grave He offered powerless humanity the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8). He gave us the authority and power to become the children of God (John 1:12), cast out demons (Mark 6:7), and heal the sick (Mark 3:15). Because of Jesus, you can renew your determination to overcome in life—not in your own strength but by the power of God.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

3. GOD IS PRESENT. God is good and powerful and present. God is with us when our minds are confounded, He’s with us when our circumstances do not line up, He’s with us when things are disappointing. There is an end to every temptation that you face, but God’s mercies never come to an end (Lamentations 3:22). Trust Him for the miraculous. He will always see you through.

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

pres•ent, adj.
Readily available; instant. Mentally alert; attentive.

DAILY CONFESSION
For the Lord is good to me; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 100:5). O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness (Psalm 59:17).

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

1. FACE THE FACTS OF LIFE COURAGEOUSLY. We are designed to be carriers of the presence of God. Christianity is not a message of escapism but of realism. The reality is that even though we live in a fallen world, we are overcomers because of Jesus.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:11

2. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. God has a plan, and we can trust Him even when we face things absolutely designed to discourage us. If you’ve become fluent in the language of whining, then it’s time to learn the language of praise. Instead of murmuring and naming your problems, write your blessings down and fight self-pity with God’s promises. Speak to your mountains. Be bold in your declaration of trust in God!

3. SPEND YOURSELF ON BEHALF OF OTHERS. God rarely extracts healers from the ranks of the unscarred. Even in the middle of your own battle, you are called to refresh others. Instead of succumbing to self-pity, look around and realize that others need encouragement too. Give them a call, text a scripture, or spend some time praying for them.

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

DAILY CONFESSION based on Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all my iniquities, Who heals all my diseases; Who redeems my life from the pit, Who crowns me with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies my years with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Press On, verb
To start or continue doing something in a determined way, often despite problems.

He [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. Mark 4:35, 37-39

1. GO TO THE OTHER SIDE. God’s love will produce tremendous security even in the middle of a storm. He wants to set you free from fear so that you can both command the storm to be calm and trust Him enough to even be at peace in the midst of it. When Jesus is in the center of your situation, you will get to the other side!

2. GET FILLED WITH GOD’S WORD. God’s Word on any given subject will produce faith and bring a tremendous change to your perspective. If you’re worried about finances, study what God’s Word says about meeting your needs. If you are wondering about your future, find scriptures about God’s plan for your life. Whatever you are dealing with, write it down, answer it with the Word of God, and move forward!

3. FREE OTHERS. When Jesus got to the other side, He immediately encountered a demon-possessed man who desperately needed help. Jesus freed him and “the man who had been demon-possessed [was] sitting down, clothed and in his right mind” (Mark 5:1-15). When you overcome fear in your own life, you will be able to boldly preach the Gospel to the afflicted and set captives free (Luke 4:18).

DAILY CONFESSION
God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a well-balanced mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4) God’s perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4:18) I have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again but I have received a spirit of adoption. (Romans 8:15)

o·ver·come, verb
To deal with successfully; prevail over. To surmount opposition; be victorious.